23
Then he took the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta, together with their wives and children and all they owned, and led them to Judea with great rejoicing.
24
Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan and traveled for three days into the wilderness.
25
They encountered the Nabateans, who greeted them in peace and related all that had happened to their people in Gilead:
26
"Many of them have been cornered inside Bozrah and Bosor, in Alema and Chaspho, in Maked and Carnaim." These were strong and large towns.
27
"Some have been confined in other towns in Gilead. The enemy is getting ready to attack the fortresses tomorrow. They intend to capture and destroy all these people in a single day."